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4 Symptoms of Dehydration

Fitday Editor
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Dehydration may be a problem for you if you work out regularly. Typically, you should be drinking fluids well before you work out in order to avoid it. Many people fail to drink enough water prior to working out, though. As a result, they suffer from dehydration during exercise and end up hurting their workout as a result. If you are not getting enough water, there's a good chance that you will realize it as you work out. Here are some of the symptoms that you will undergo as your body begins to suffer from dehydration.

1. Dizziness

When your body doesn't get the water that it needs, you may undergo dizzy spells. This occurs because your body is beginning to overheat and your internal temperature is rising too quickly. You may also get lightheaded as dehydration takes over. It's important to remember that this could also be the symptom of other problems, too. For instance, if you did not eat enough and take it enough calories, your body could be telling you that it needs energy to work out. But it may also indicate that you are suffering from dehydration.

2. Lack of Sweating

The water that you put into your body prior to workouts is used to produce sweat that exits your body during exercise. This sweat serves a number of functions. Namely, it helps remove toxins from your body and from your skin. But sweating is also a sign that your body is cooling off as the temperature inside of you is regulated. If sweating is not occurring, though, it's a sign that your body does not have enough water to produce the sweat that you need. As a result, your body can overheat.

3. Cramping

When your muscles cramp, they do so because they are not getting enough oxygen. At times, it might be because you're not taking in enough air or you're simply breathing improperly. But dehydration can be another factor. Water helps transport some of the oxygen that your muscles need. If you don't have enough water in your body to do this, cramping can occur. Cramping will seriously impact your exercise and could even force you to quit altogether for the time being. But you can reduce cramping by breathing properly throughout your workouts and taking in the right amount of water.

4. Passing Out

Passing out is obviously a sign of serious trouble. Again, it doesn't always indicate that you are dehydrated. If your body doesn't get the energy it needs through your diet, you could pass out during a work out. But it could also be a sign of dehydration, too. If you feel as though you may faint or pass out during a workout, stop immediately and get hydrated. There's no reason to put your health in jeopardy in order to do a few extra repetitions of an exercise.

Staying Hydrated

Remember, before you start exercising, make sure you drink plenty of water before, during and after your work out. It's the only way to avoid showing any symptoms of dehydration.

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